World Cup food

Posted by James McIntosh Thursday, 12th June 2014

I'm sure I don't stand alone when I say how much I love the summer. Quite simply there is just so much more one can do! The days of sitting inside self-diagnosing S.A.D. have gone and it's a good time to have friends over.

I've written a few blogs for Rangemaster over the years about what to cook in the summer, but this is one of action. London 2012 may be long over (but never forgotten) but from 12th June until 13th July it’s the World Cup in Brazil. I'm not a footballer, I never understood why one would watch it, but many do. However if it’s anything like Capetown 2010 even a non-footballer like me could not escape the tribal sound of the Vuvuzela and its loud (very loud) monotone b flat sound. There is so much more to sporting events than what’s on the TV. Whether you like football or not escapes the point, it’s an opportunity to meet friends, socialise and have something to eat together.

In my work I get to travel lots and discover foods from all over the world. However, as I live in London I get to see all of the global foods in our great world city. Once a global joke in food, London has the world in one city. Looking at Brazilian food it's a mix of European and African foods. When I think of Brazil I think about colour and the Rio Carnival. However a close friend of mine Erich Ribero who is a chef in London from Brazil introduced me to the famous Brazilian food Feijoada. Erich tells me the dish was originally made by slaves that came to Brazil where they cooked with what was left over from their Masters table. It's arguably the national dish of Brazil and served as a stew.

Thinking about the World Cup, surely from what I have seen one needs a drink in one hand, food in the other and rather than a standard British Pie, I've experimented and cooked Feijoada for longer to thicken it more so it can become a wrap. World Cup 2014 food, Brazilian style. Baden Baden is a German beer famous in Brazil (www.drinkaware.co.uk), will Brazil be playing Germany in the Second round?

So whether you’re watching the World Cup or not, enjoy Brazil this summer.

Feijoada wraps

Makes 12

1 tbsp sunflower or vegetable oil

2 large onions, chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

3 bay leafs

250g chorizo, chopped

450g pork pieces

250g ham hock, shredded

411g can black beans and liquid

411g can chopped tomatoes

12 tortilla wraps

Soured cream (optional)

Method

Heat the oil in a casserole until hot and add the onion, garlic, bay and sauté until soft.

Add the chorizo and cook until the oil starts to leach out. Add the pork and cook to seal the edges. Add all other ingredients and bring to the boil. Cook in the oven at 180C / 160C Fan / Gas Mark 4 for 4 hours.